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When I buy for my boat, I usually buy gear that is allegedly made for marine use. There’s a reason. It’s basically that I’m more interested in hanging on to my backside than I am in hanging on to my bucks. And much of the stuff made for use in houses and cars may, directly or indirectly, create a safety issue when used in a boat. So I’m ready to pay more for the marine product because it, in theory, costs more to make. But here’s the rub. Unfortunately, some products with “marine” stamped on them have nothing of “marine” quality other than...... Read More

Make Your Own Look Bucket
Contributed by Tom Neale - This blog has been viewed 108 times and there are 0 comments

Posted In Cruising Log

Posted: November 03, 2009

When we first went to the Bahamas, many years ago, friends told us to be sure to get a “look bucket.” We weren’t even sure what this was, but we got one and it, as well as its many replacements, has been invaluable as a tool, a food finder and a source of entertainment. It’s basically a bucket with a see-through bottom. You put the bucket in the water and look through it. Unless the water is really muddy you can see below the surface. In clear waters you can see far down, even to the bottom. In a way, it’s like snorkeling wit...... Read More

Now You See It
Contributed by Tom Neale - This blog has been viewed 185 times and there are 0 comments

Posted In Cruising Log

Posted: October 15, 2009

Most of us didn’t know it, but during the past two years something happened that will be very helpful and important to us all. A standard for rating flashlights and spotlights has come into being. Why is that important? How many times have you needed a good light and looked at the absurd claims of millions of candle power on product boxes? So you pick out one with the most millions (and maybe the lowest cost), take it to your boat, try it out and discover that it isn’t worth squat. Sure, you can probably take it back, but that fact didn’t help a bit during the dark night...... Read More

Chain Care
Contributed by Tom Neale - This blog has been viewed 231 times and there are 0 comments

Posted In Cruising Log

Posted: October 01, 2009

Have you had to replace your anchor chain lately? If you have, you know it’s a very expensive proposition. I’m not talking about a few feet on the end of a nylon rode. That’s not a very big deal. I’m talking about maybe one or two hundred feet or more on a rode that’s primarily chain. We’ve ridden out hurricanes, tornadoes, prolonged full storms and a lot more at anchor, and I believe that quality chain, if used properly with nylon snubbing lines, is the best way to go, if you can carry the weight. But chain, even the good stuff, rusts, unless it’s st...... Read More

Kick A Poo Joy Juice
Contributed by Tom Neale - This blog has been viewed 286 times and there are 0 comments

Posted In Cruising Log

Posted: September 17, 2009

OK, Hold on. I’m going to be talking about something I’m not supposed to be talking about. But you probably already know about it. At least, you do if you have a boat that has a head and head hoses. And if you don’t know about it, consider yourself blessed. But also consider yourself forewarned, because you’re going to know about it soon enough, if you use that boat. If you only use the head a few weekends a summer, you’ve got a period of blissful ignorance ahead of you. Enjoy it while it lasts. But if you’re more into boating than that, then you already...... Read More

Whats Worse Than Layers of Barnacles?
Contributed by Tom Neale - This blog has been viewed 306 times and there are 0 comments

Posted In Cruising Log

Posted: September 03, 2009

I hate barnacles. It’s bad enough that they eat up pilings and make me look like a fool when the pilings fall over as I dock. They also slow me down when I let them get the jump on me. Jumping barnacles may not be what the average person has in mind when he thinks of these things, but it’s what I had in mind a few weeks ago when I realized how long it had been since I cleaned my prop.

Dont Put Mout’ On It, Mon
Contributed by Tom Neale - This blog has been viewed 327 times and there are 0 comments

Posted In Cruising Log

Posted: August 20, 2009

When we first started going to the Bahamas, island friends regularly told us, “Don’t put Mout’ on it, Mon, Don’t put Mout’ on ‘tings.” The first time I heard this I didn’t have a clue about what it meant. I understood the Bahamian dialect (apparently it was easier to understand than my southern dialect), but I didn’t know what they meant. Now I know. And I believe.

New Outboard, New World
Contributed by Tom Neale - This blog has been viewed 177 times and there are 0 comments

Posted In Cruising Log

Posted: August 06, 2009

Death by Portholes
Contributed by Tom Neale - This blog has been viewed 260 times and there are 0 comments

Posted In Cruising Log

Posted: July 23, 2009

I haven’t had a root canal, but I’ve replaced my portholes. I haven’t rebuilt an exploded transmission, but I’ve replaced my portholes. I haven’t walked on the moon, but I’ve replaced my portholes. I haven’t leapt over a tall building with a single bound, but I’ve replaced my portholes.
A friend, hearing me moaning about the project, asked, “Why on earth did you do that?” I replied, “They leaked, you couldn’t see through them, and they wouldn’t open.” “Oh,” he said, and that was the end of the ...... Read More

Building Your Own at Reedville
Contributed by Tom Neale - This blog has been viewed 318 times and there are 0 comments

Posted In Cruising Log

Posted: July 09, 2009

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